Beyond "Just Say No": Kids' Books About Alcohol and Drugs

Anyone who has grown up with someone close to them drinking or abusing drugs knows that the problem extends far beyond the actual user. Alcoholic households are characterized by chaos; tots thrive on consistency and reliability, so the effects can be devastating. Just like talking to tots about sex, talking to young children about drug and alcohol abuse — especially when it's in the home — has the potential to confuse the issue even more. Keep reading for a selection of children's books that will help adults navigate the tricky topic and reassure tots that it's not their fault.